Raakilipattu

Raakilipattu

(translates as "rock music")

2007

5/5 stars

This film is the Malayalam-language version of Snegithiye, a Tamil movie which was shot simultaneously in both languages, and intended to be released at the same time in 2000.  For reasons I couldn't discover, the release of the Malayalam version, as well as a Hindi dubbed one, did not happen until 2007.

Radhika (Sharbani Mukherjee) and Josephine (played by Jyothika) are best friends at college where they are free-spirits, and even pranksters at times.  Radhika's aunt wants to see Radhika become more responsible, and feels that marriage would be the answer.  To avoid this, the friends invent a boyfriend for Radhika, called Ramesh Nair.  When Radhika begins to receive letters and phone calls from someone calling himself Ramesh Nair, both girls become terrified.  However, things get worse when someone by that name is found dead and Radhika and Josephine are the prime suspects for his murder.  An Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gayathri (played by Tabu), is an alumna of their college and the two go to her for help.  She seems to believe Josephine and Radhika, but someone is determined that the girls will not be alive to tell their side of the story. 

What starts out as a fun film about female friendship quickly turns into a tense, twisty, amazing thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat, and then reduced me to tears at the end.

The acting by Jyothika, Tabu, and Sharbani Mukherjee is fantastic -- so believable and natural -- and the supporting cast is solid. The dramatic film techniques and effective incidental music add to the suspense and general excellence of the movie.  Though the music is average, with the exception of the memorable item number, it fits perfectly and is used effectively.  

It's important to note that the main story is worked around substories about the dangers women face, and as such, is peopled almost entirely by women.  There are only a few times when a male voice is heard throughout the whole movie.  This gives an additional depth to the overall feel of the film.

The first time I watched it, I was so caught up in the plot that I missed much of the nuances that add an extra layer.  The second viewing, I was able to take it all in, and was thoroughly wowed.  This is truly a sadly underrated gem. 

Miss You

Miss You

2024

4/5 stars

In this Tamil-language romantic comedy/drama, Vasu (played by Siddharth) has an accident that causes a loss of two-years' worth of memories.   A few months after his recovery, he goes to visit a friend and falls in love with Subbulakshmi (Ashika Ranganath), a young woman in the same apartment complex.  What Vasu doesn't realize is that Subbulakshmi has a strong, valid reason to hate him.  What follows is a charming, moving love story about redemption and second chances.  

While there were no outstanding performances, the leads were convincing, especially with their emotions. The music, fight scenes, and choreography were just average, but the evocative incidental music and all around solid cinematography added much to the film. The storytelling was excellent, with the viewer learning only as much as Vasu knew, so that the plot unfolded slowly and compellingly, making it a film that I enjoyed tremendously.

Rewatching Bodyguard

Kapoor and  Khan

Bodyguard, Hindi language version, 2011 4/5 stars

starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor

(original review from March 2017 here)

Bodyguard, Telugu language version, 2012 4/5 stars

starring Venkatesh and Trisha

(original review from November 2020 here)

For the second half of 2023 and most of 2024, I watched mysteries on BritBox and hardly any actual movies (in any language).  

So far this year, I've rewatched Bachelor Mother (1939; my favorite Ginger Rogers film) and While You Were Sleeping (an all-time favorite from 1995).  I just haven't been in the mood for movies.

Until this week.

Trisha and Venkatesh

On Tuesday night, I rewatched the Salman Khan version of Bodyguard (Hindi, 2011) and over last night and today, the Telugu version (2012) starring Venkatesh. 

It was not my first time rewatching the Khan film -- it's a favorite and I've viewed it three or four times now, and I have enjoyed it every time.  This was my first rewatch of Venkatesh's version, though.  

I watched them originally three years apart, and at that time I said I preferred the Hindi version.  Watching them back-to-back, though, I've decided that I love the Telugu best.

They both have the same general story -- which has a great twist and is such fun overall -- but the subtle differences in personalities and the slightly varying plot nuances makes the Telugu version a notch better for me.  (Plus, to be honest, I prefer Trisha to Kareena Kapoor.)

And now, I'm in the mood for more Indian cinema!

Darling

Darling

2010

3/5 stars

In this Telugu-language film, Prabha (played by Prabhas at the height of his "young rebel star" period) is in love with his childhood friend Nandini (Kajal Aggarwal), despite not having seen her for the many years that have passed since she moved to Switzerland.  I don't want to spoil it by explaining the hows and whys of the romance, so will just say that the course of true love never runs smooth -- especially in Indian cinema.

This is a cute, if predictable, film.  Prabhas and Kajal Aggarwal give strong performances and have a good chemistry together.  The supporting cast is a veritable Who's Who of Telugu character actors, and they provide a firm backbone for the movie.  So, while it contains no real surprises and is typical of it's genre, Darling is still fun and enjoyable.

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan

translates as "Someone's Brother, Someone's Love"

2023

Did Not Finish

Jagapathi Babu

Oh golly, y'all, this Hindi-language masala film was terrible! I'm a huge fan of many of Salman Khan's movies (evergreen and newish) but this stinker was just unwatchable.  I was especially disappointed because it collaborated with Telugu cinema and featured many familiar faces from that industry, including one of my favorites, the extremely talented Jagapathi Babu, who makes such a fantastic villian.    

The worst part of the movie was, frankly, Khan.  He's simply too old to play a romantic lead anymore, and he looked foolish and cringe-worthy.  (And just what was with that horrible reddish, long hairdo?!)

I haven't been impressed with Khan's costar, Pooja Hegde, in other movies (reviews here and here), and she had zero chemistry with him and little sparkle overall. The three that played Khan's brothers (Raghav Juyal, Jassie Gill, and Siddharth Nigam), were also underwhelming.

I stuck it out through the half-way point, but couldn't finish -- this coming from one who watched all of that dud Race 3 just to see how bad it would get.  Bottom line: let's just pretend this movie never happened.

Two More Starring Jr. NTR

Nannaku Prematho

(translation: "to father, with love")

2016 

3/5 stars

This is a tale of strong filial love, finely planned revenge, and two cunning minds playing against each other. Abhiram (N. T. Rama Rao Jr.) is determined to bring down Krishnamurthy (Jagapathi Babu) and his empire in retaliation for wrongs done by him to Abhiram's father in the distant past. 

The plot contains many twists, some genuinely surprising, and the movie is fully entertaining for that reason.  However, there are scenes that aren't explained well, and/or seem unnecessary to the plot, which weakens the film in the long run. Rao gives his customary strong and charismatic performance, despite the character of Abhiram not being fully likable; Babu, as usual, is an excellent villain. The supporting cast is solid, but Rakul Preet Singh (who plays the love interest) is generally unconvincing and has little chemistry with the hero.  The choreography is fun to watch, the songs good in general (with "Follow, Follow", sung by Jr. NTR, being particularly memorable), and the incidental music quite effective throughout.  Overall, Nannaku Prematho is truly enjoyable, but has enough flaws to keep it from being exceptional.

Kantri

(translation: "cunning")

2008

Did Not Finish

While silliness-of-plot is not a deal-breaker for me when watching Indian Cinema (I'm looking at you Shakti), thirty minutes of Kantri was enough to let me know that I didn't care for the story, disliked the romantic interest, couldn't get invested in the hero, and, most importantly, (despite Jr. NTR and Prakash Raj) wasn't being entertained.

Two Starring Jr. NTR

RRR (Rise, Roar, Revolt)  
2022

5/5 stars

starring: N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, and Alia Bhatt 
Giving much of the plot will spoil the surprises, so suffice it to say that this Telugu-language action film/period drama is a love letter to both male friendship and patriotism. RRR is funny, moving, and exciting, as well as consistently entertaining.  Filled with excellence -- music, acting, cinematography, and story alike -- it's easy to overlook the glaring historical inaccuracies and just enjoy the epic experience.  My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that I'm not used to seeing Jr. NTR as a timid character; his talent, however, made it seem a natural role. By the end, both my husband and I were ready to take up arms against the British invaders.  Jai Hind!

Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava

transl. Veera Raghava along with Aravinda

2018

4/5 stars

This action-drama is a sometimes moving, occasionally humorous, but always entertaining story of factions, revenge, and a desire for peace. N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Veera Raghava, a young man thrown into a war between two villages, gives his typical strong and charismatic performance.  Pooja Hegde, who stars as the romantic interest Aravinda, is less impressive, though Jagapathi Babu and Sunil, who also feature, are excellent, as is the supporting cast.  The incidental music is especially effective, and the songs and choreography are generally appealing.  The action scenes look fantastic and the cinematography is equally good.  Overall, while having one of the most violent opening fifteen or so minutes I've seen, this is a genuinely engrossing and engaging film.